The Starbucks in the University of Oregon’s Erb Memorial Union is located on the second level in an area called ‘The Fishbowl’. This name is indicative of the circular shaped floor plan and the glass massing that spans from the southwest corner to the northeast corner. Students, university employees, and visitors come to the space to study, eat, work, and collaborate. The wide range of uses makes good lighting and acoustics imperative.

The main elements which could be redesigned and improved in the EMU Starbucks are the ceiling, electric light, and the material of the large steel columns. Illuminating the top of the center column would add a source of electric lighting in the center of the space, accenting the daylight let in from the large windows. Changing the material of steel columns to a less reflective material would help to eliminate the echoing and glaring effects of the reflective steel material. Finally, adding drop-down wood panels with backlighting would improve acoustics and electric lighting within the space.

The Terry Thomas Building, referenced in Professor Ihab's lecture, is designed in a ‘donut-shape’ which ensures all the spaces in the building are within 15’ to 20’ of the exterior wall. In the EMU Starbucks space, this results in full light coverage throughout the year, causing a true daylight autonomy. The window-to-wall ratios (WWR) in both spaces are very high. In consideration of these points from our learning, we believe the daylight in the EMU is overall successful and effective and should be highlighted rather than completely redesigned.

The HH Richardson Courtyard Building is similar to the EMU Starbucks space as both heavily rely on daylight let in through the windows to illuminate nearly the entire space. The space within the ‘farmer’s zone’ is maximized in the amount of daylight that is let in. The EMU Starbucks space has steel columns in the secondary zone, but the columns are so reflective that the daylight cannot successfully light the space while counteracting this harsh light. Additionally, the sound waves bouncing off of the steel creates an undesirable echoing effect.

Although the Terry Thomas Building does not represent the Starbucks space within the EMU perfectly, we believe both the Terry Thomas Building and EMU Starbucks’ shape, daylight autonomy and window-to-wall ratio create very well designed spaces. The amount of daylight let into both spaces is maximized. An additional component in our redesign is to change the electric lighting to better suit the space. Accenting the daylight with electric light would be the best option to highlight the current design. Currently, the electric lighting within this space is distracting and harsh in comparison to the natural daylight that is let into the space. Using an alternative electric lighting element would better illuminate the space while emphasizing the unique shape, layout, and large exterior openings that enhance daylight within the EMU Starbucks area. The design alternative of illuminating the top of the center column will act as a secondary source of lighting that highlights the natural daylight by highlighting the rounded shape of the space.

The Fishbowl where the Starbucks is located is an open space with no barriers between two separate restaurants, which contributes to the overwhelming level of noise coming from all directions in the space. The steel columns within the space fail to absorb sound, creating an echo-like environment. We propose this could be solved by adjusting the material of the steel columns to better lessen/reduce sound travel.

The space has multiple sources of harsh electric lighting, which is reflected off of the steel columns. In parallel to our first hypothesis, changing the material to a non-reflective wood would eliminate glaring reflected light.

Readdressing the harsh electrical lighting by the addition of drop-down wood panels will aid in the diffusion of the overwhelming illuminance. Connecting back to the poor acoustics, the dropdown, wood panels could subdue sound by acting as a cushion. This redesign idea would solve both lighting and acoustic challenges simultaneously.

1. Improve acoustic conditions within the space

2. Tone down electrical lighting within the space.

• Ellie Thacker, 2022

• Sidney Zabell, 2022

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• Fessler, Kevin. Google Maps, Oct. 2018.

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